Academy manager Steve Weaver played a key role in attracting Jordan Thomas to Norwich City after his Huddersfield exit, the young right-back has explained.

The 17-year-old joined the Canaries last month and has already stepped up at under-23 level, playing all of Sunday’s 2-0 defeat of Reading at Carrow Road in Premier League Two.

His arrival came after Weaver had followed sporting director Stuart Webber to Norfolk from Huddersfield in September, with the Premier League side since announcing plans to scale down their academy.

“There are a lot of opportunities here to get into the first team and he (Weaver) looks after young players and has a good pedigree at bringing young players through,” Thomas said. “That’s perfect for me right now and my development.

“I’m looking forward to working hard and progressing as a player. Hopefully I work my way into the under-23s and then my aim is to eventually make it into the first team. Obviously it’s going to be a hard process because there are a lot of great players here.”

The former Charlton trainee cannot feature for City’s U18s against Newcastle in the FA Youth Cup tomorrow night as he played during Huddersfield’s shootout defeat to Fulham in the third round.

He is settling in to Norfolk life already though, adding: “I already knew Jaden (Thompson-Brissett), I played with him when we were at Charlton when we were younger. He’s made me feel welcome.

“Also, I live with Anis (Mehmeti) but all of the lads have made me feel welcome.

“It’s a really nice city, it’s very peaceful, similar to Huddersfield. I’ve been to the city centre a couple of times and it’s very good.”

“Jordan’s progression over the years I’ve been working with him has been steady but very good,” he said, in City’s OTBC matchday programme. “When he became available, it was great for us. We are delighted to have him here.

“He’s very reliable and trustworthy and ticks a lot of the boxes of what we’re looking for in terms of a full-back for the club.”